National Manger - Māori Research
Earth Sciences New Zealand
National Manager - Māori Partnerships
As National Manager – Māori Partnerships you will provide strategic leadership to position Earth Sciences NZ as a trusted and enduring science partner of choice for Māori.
What you’ll do
- Provide strategic leadership to embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi-informed partnership practice across Earth Sciences NZ.
- Oversee and implement the iwi/Māori Partnerships Framework, including relationship management practices.
- Co-lead engagement with strategic iwi/Māori partners and align science missions with Māori priorities.
- Develop and manage partnership agreements, lead a team of Pou Ārahi, and provide organisation-wide cultural leadership.
- Identify opportunities (including bids/funding) and manage risks, including iwi/Māori data sovereignty expectations
What you’ll bring
- Proven people leadership skills with the ability to build high-performing teams and deliver strong service to partners.
- Demonstrated experience developing partnerships with iwi/Māori entities (ideally in science/research, commercial or service contexts).
- Strong capability in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, with excellent communication in both English and Māori.
- Strategic, analytical and systems thinker who can translate plans into action and navigate complexity and change.
- Credibility with researchers/technical experts and grounded in Māori partnership and engagement principles and practice.
- Awareness of key Te Ao Māori trends, plus understanding of the NZ science system, funding/policy settings, and public sector governance/risk
We know that talented people—especially those from under-represented or neurodiverse communities—sometimes hesitate to apply unless they meet every single requirement in a job description. If this role aligns with your strengths, lived experience, or interests, we’d love to hear from you and we’re committed to supporting your growth.
What we offer
- Varied, challenging and important work with talented colleagues in an organisation devoted to earth science.
- A high performing organisation with a focus on employee development and wellbeing
- Generous leave entitlements and employee benefits
About Us
Earth Sciences NZ was established on 1 July 2025 through the merger of GNS and NIWA, with the upcoming acquisition of MetService further strengthening its capabilities. Bringing together multidisciplinary expertise and advanced technology, it will excel in earth, environmental, and natural resources science across six core missions: Weather and Climate Hazards, Geological Hazards, Land and Water, Atmosphere and Climate, Oceans and Fisheries, and Energy.
This new entity forms part of the most significant reform to New Zealand’s science and innovation system in more than three decades, designed to create a more dynamic, collaborative, and impactful science system. Following the acquisition of MetService, Earth Sciences NZ will comprise around 1,500 staff across 22 sites, with assets of approximately $400 million and annual revenues of $370 million, including substantial commercial streams. This provides a unique opportunity to shape the future of science for Aotearoa New Zealand and position the organisation as a globally recognised leader in its field. For more information, visit https://www.earthsciences.nz/.
We’re expanding our Māori Partnerships capability and welcome applications from candidates who can help strengthen enduring, mutually beneficial partnerships with Māori (iwi, hapū, whānau, Māori organisations and entities) and ensure our science delivers meaningful outcomes for Aotearoa.
Apply now
We’re also looking for two talented Pou Hononga: Senior Advisor – Māori Research candidates to join our expanding team. Please see our separate ad for that position.
Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience working with Māori, and how you will help deliver outcomes for Māori through science.
Applications close 17 April. For a confidential kōrero about either role, please contact Marino Tahi – Chief Māori and Pacific Partnering Officer on mob: 027-618-3380 and/or email: marino.tahi@earthsciences.nz.
